While the Maritime Mayhem-themed South Tyneside Summer Parade has sailed out of the Borough there’s still a packed programme of free events families can enjoy.
The South Tyneside Festival, which has been running since the start of June, has a host of live music, family friendly events, entertainment and activities taking place throughout July and August.
This includes the open air Sunday concerts in Bents Park, South Shields, which has already featured a trio of X Factor favourites Alexandra Burke, Ben Haenow and Reggie ‘n’ Bollie.
The free live music concerts on South Shields seafront will continue with music from stars such as The Proclaimers (17 July), Tony Hadley (24 July) and UB40 (31 July).
Brass bands from the region are also tuning up to play weekly performances on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer at Sandhaven Amphitheatre in South Shields.
The July programme of live brass concerts features, the Bright Street Big Band on 17 July, Craghead Colliery Band on 24 July and the NASUWT Concert Band on 31 July, which will all run between3.30pm and 5.30pm.
August will feature music from Cockerton Prize Silver Band on 7 August, Dunston Silver Band on 14 August, Westoe Brass Band on 21 August and the NASUWT Concert Band on 28 August, with all concerts running between 2pm and 4pm.
While music lovers can also enjoy a programme of free Saturday concerts in South Marine Park’s historic bandstand, which dates back to the Victorian age, until 3 September.
The Music in South Marine Park concerts, supported by Friends of North and South Marine Parks, which will run from 2pm until 4pm includes performances by Knapp Daneben (July 16) from the Borough’s twin town of Wuppertal in Germany, pop rock five piece Barely Human (July 23) and rock and soul band The Gaslighters (July 30). The Little Big Band will take to the Victorian bandstand in South Marine Park (August 6), as well as Gladstone (13 August) and rockabilly group Cats Night Out (August 20) followed by melodic pop rock band Rose Parade (August 27) and Tyne and Wear party band Rivelino (3 September).
Youngsters can get involved with twice weekly Kids Fun-Fest parties at the Sandhaven Amphitheatre on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 2pm until 4pm, throughout August. Each Kids Fun-Fest party will feature games and activities for all ages, as well as a host of amazing performers and entertainers.
Keen shoppers can also indulge in some retail therapy along South Shields riverside at the Harton Quays Park Craft Markets on Sundays 7 August and 4 September. Visitors will be able to browse a wealth of stalls selling a range of distinctive goods and gifts.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “The South Tyneside Festival 2016 has been a great success so far with the Borough’s nautical Summer Parade and a marvellous start to our popular Sunday Concerts on South Shields seafront.
“Both families and music lovers of all ages in the Borough and further afield can continue to enjoy the free activities on offer over the next few months.”
For more information and full listings for the South Tyneside Festival 2016 go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk search for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, follow STynesideEvents on Twitter or call the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.